Very soon after the arrival of the new community of Oblates in Nimes, Eugene wrote them a letter full of advice. It gives the impression of a an anxious parent standing by as he watches a child taking his first steps. These extracts give us an insight into the relations between Eugene and his Oblates.<\/p>\n
\nI would wish, my very dear friends, to reply to each of you in particular but the spirit of poverty opposes this. You will all receive therefore from the same sheet of paper the expression of the sentiments I nourish in my heart for brothers such as yourselves.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I have learnt with great consolation of your arrival at Nimes. Your beginnings cause me to predict that this new-born establishment will go well. Fortified with good intentions, you must before all else win the esteem and affection of those who can support or protect your zeal\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
It would be as well to send a joint letter as soon as possible to the Bishop, that Father Mie should write in the name of all to tell him that having been summoned on his orders to his diocese, your first care is to place yourselves under his protection and to ask his benediction; you will formulate some well-turned phrases to let him know your devotedness and obedience\u2026<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I recommend to our excellent Father Honorat much moderation. He must make every day, towards the end of the oraison, some reflections on this subject. The least imprudence would cause much harm in this time of beginning, and all the more so because the Bishop fears nothing so much as that.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
… Well fancy our dear Brother Guibert wishing to find books while there is still not a bed or a cooking pot! I recognize him well on that score.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Letter to Fathers Mie, Honorat and to Brother Guibert, 2 June 1825, EO VI n.180<\/em><\/p>\n
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\u2018It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pope John XXIII<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Very soon after the arrival of the new community of Oblates in Nimes, Eugene wrote them a letter full of advice. It gives the impression of a an anxious parent standing by as he watches a child taking his first … Continue reading